Adilabad cotton farmers in suffer as prices plummet, appeal for government aid

Adilabad: Cotton farmers are a disillusioned lot following a steep fall in prices as many had stocked cotton in their houses without selling hoping for a good price. Cotton prices have slumped to Rs 7,260 from a robust Rs 9,000 last November.

It is estimated that over three lakh quintals of cotton is still with farmers in Adilabad district. They have appealed to the state and central governments to come to their rescue as they had invested heavily in Kharif. Private traders said that in their desperation, cotton farmers might sell their produce at a cheaper price now than wait.

Cotton is cultivated in nearly four lakh acres in Adilabad district while it is over 15 lakh in the erstwhile Adilabad district.

Many farmers have stopped bringing their cotton to the market in the last two months hoping for a price touching Rs 10,000 per quintal. However, their hopes have been dashed.

While many stored the produce, some farmers sold to private traders from Maharashtra as they came to purchase directly from farmers.

K. Raju, a farmer from Talamadugu mandal, said that they have been at the receiving end for the last five months. Private traders from Adilabad had offered Rs 9,000 when commercial operations began but the price has suffered a major slump.

He alleged that the prices will increase just after all farmers sell their cotton to private cotton traders.